Because of its historical meaning for the Jewish people, the celebration of Passover is perhaps the most elaborate feast. The Torah says the people should remove any leavened products from their households (Exodus 12:15). This was to remind them that they had to flee Egypt so quickly that the bread in their ovens did not have time to rise. Every spring, in Jewish homes, a furious housecleaning takes place to remove any leavened products before Passover begins.

After cleaning the home, preparation for the central tradition associated with the day, the Passover seder meal, occurs. Seder means “order” of the service. This is based on the directives given in Exodus 12. God told the Israelites the evening shall be commemorated by eating three things: lamb, matzah (unleavened bread) and bitter herbs.

Rabbis later added numerous other elements, including green vegetables, a roasted egg, kharoset (apple/nut mix) and four cups of wine. These are arranged on a ceremonial seder plate, and the cups are sipped from a decorative kiddush cup (wine goblet).

Later in history rabbis added a fifth cup called the Cup of Elijah. This particular cup is filled with the hope that the prophet Elijah will come, drink from the cup and announce that the Messiah has come (Malachi 4:5). Passover, like most of the biblical holy days, features special, meaningful foods. All this reminds us that, from a Jewish perspective, theology is not only taught, it is also eaten. This is one more reason I believe all people—Jews and Gentiles, adults and children—can learn so much by celebrating the feasts.

A particularly intriguing element incorporated by rabbis is called the matzah tash. This is a linen pouch or plate with three different sections. A piece of matzah is placed within each section, individually set apart yet united in the one container. Rabbinic commentaries don’t give the exact origin of this custom. They speculate that the matzah tash represents unity—perhaps the unity of the people of Israel through the forefathers (Abraham, Isaac and Jacob) or the unity of the families of Israel (Aaron, the Levites, the common people).

During the first part of the seder, the middle piece of matzah is taken out and broken in half. Half of the matzah is placed back in the matzah tash. The other half is wrapped in a napkin and hidden somewhere in the room by the leader of the seder. The hidden matzah is called the afikomen, a Greek word meaning “that which comes last.” Rabbis say it alludes to the fact that the afikomen is the last thing tasted at the seder, the dessert. Others have suggested the translation “he will come again.” This sense of the word has much meaning to the Messianic believer since it pictures the resurrection and return of Messiah.

A structured order of service was developed into the Haggadah, a booklet that retells the history and significance of Pesach. The Passover seder is a ceremonial dinner centered around reading the Haggadah. Most Jewish communities outside Israel celebrate the seder the first two nights of Pesach (the 15th and 16th of the Hebrew month of Nisan).